April 18, 2014

Test Prep: Part 2

So, I recently posted Test Prep: Part 1 to give you some insight into what I do to prepare my students for our state testing!....Make sure you check it out if you haven't already. Part 1 is more about the serious things we do to prep. Now, for Test Prep: Part 2....the fun stuff!

Language Arts Olympics

In addition to what I've mentioned above, and the research papers we started this month, we will have a "Language Arts Olympics" this Friday and the following Monday (which is the day before the reading OAA). Students will get into groups and work together to answer a wide variety of questions that address the standards we have covered this year. There is a tentative gold, silver, and bronze medal team after the first day of games. However, things can change during the second day! I use the certificated found in the set below to award my students on the top three teams.

Test Prep Story

Testing Miss Malarkey is a humorous book, and it makes a great to read aloud before or after state tests.

Test Prep Songs

(since the videos are a little grainy, see the links below them)

Every year in the weeks leading up to the test, I play the following "12 Power Words" rap for my students. Then, I give them a handout with the lyrics. My students get into groups and I encourage them to create their own beats to read the rap to. We practice for a week straight, and then during the second week, each group gets a chance to perform for the class. I try to make it extra special by selecting a group from each class to present their rap to the rest of the school on our morning announcements. They love it!